Pertaining to the Kerala nun rape case, Father Anthony, allegedly a close aide of Kerala nun rape case accused Franco Mulakkal, has been arrested by Enforcement Directorate, reportedly after unaccounted cash was recovered from his residence in Partappura near Jalandhar.

Punjab: Father Anthony, allegedly a close aide of Kerala nun rape case accused Franco Mulakkal, has been arrested by Enforcement Directorate, reportedly after unaccounted cash was recovered from his residence in Partappura near Jalandhar

Earlier, a protest had broken out in Kochi against Archbishop Franco Mulakkal, who threatened a crackdown if spoken against the Church. The nuns wrote to chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan seeking protection and intervention. In the letter, the nuns speak of how they feel unsafe and that the accused Bishop is powerful.

The letter read:

"We and Sr. Neena Rose who is also an inmate in the house are facing imminent threats from the de-facto complainant's side. We think it is our duty to support and 'to be with' the victim of rape, who is our colleague/a sister. The recent developments show that we are not safe in any aspects considering the power, influence and the past activities of the other side."

During the Kochin protests, protestors burnt the circular that was issued after four nuns took over the Church body asking them to stay mum and not speak out against the activities of the Church.

Sister Anupama, who has been at the forefront of the movement, spoke exclusively to Republic TV about police and state protections.

She said, "We were not getting the public prosecutor but few days before we got him. We have police protection, there are male police officers and one woman for 24 hours. They will be filing a charge sheet as soon as possible."

The Church body that in a letter accused the nuns of 'issuing malafide public statements' as well as blamed them of 'circulating baseless stories' and that the nuns are trying to 'tarnish the images of MJ congregation by disobeying congregation instructions.'

Addressing that, she said, "This transfer is not for our good but to harm us and finish us. They are mentally torturing us. Survivor sister needs our support and we will be here for her protection. That is our name now."

Bishop Mulakkal has been accused of raping and forcing unnatural sex on the nun multiple times between 2014 and 2016.